European businesswomen being hindered by gender stereotyping

Gender
stereotyping continues to hamper the careers of women, according to research.

Women
in Leadership: A European Business Imperative finds that two-thirds of European
businesswomen are being denied career progression because of stereotypes and
preconceptions of women’s roles and abilities.

The
research, undertaken by Catalyst, a campaign group for women in business,
surveyed 500 senior women and 132 senior men in large corporations and
professional firms across 20 European countries.

One-third
of women report they aspire to reach ‘senior-most leadership’. However, more
than 60 per cent think they are being held back by a lack of female role
models, relevant experience and mentoring from above. More than 60 per cent
also feel they are disadvantaged by family commitments or personal
responsibilities.

The
findings are similar to those of a study by Catalyst in the US, which reveals
that although women in the States have more chances to become corporate
leaders, the career barrier most reported by women on both sides of the
Atlantic is gender stereotyping.www.catalystwomen.org